March 23, 2024
by Mark Archibald — Corsicana Daily Sun
Daylon Caldwell for CISD Place #3
Doug Woolsey for CISD Place #6
The Navarro County Republican Executive Committee voted to endorse Daylon Caldwell and Doug Woolsey on their bids to join the Corsicana ISD Board of Trustees.
The position of School Board is nonpartisan, although i recent years school board positions have become political said Navarro County Republican Chairman Steve Jessup.
Caldwell is running for Place 3, said that if elected, his primary focus would be committing the district back to educational excellence.
Caldwell is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Pathway Services, a mortuary forensic autopsy service located in Waco. Caldwell, 23, is a 2019 graduate of Corsicana ISD who previously worked for Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Corsicana.
“The district is top heavy paying teachers $ 3,800 below the state average, while the administration is paid $ 10,000 above the state average,” he said. “Our priorities are wrong. We have to get back to education excellence.”
Caldwell cited the 2023 Texas Education Agency report which showed that many students are not meeting educational goals according to the standard state exams. “As of 2023, none of our schools have an A rating,” he said. “By focusing on education, we can set our students up to thrive. Our school board must be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students, and this community.”
Caldwell said he will focus on resetting the priorities within the district. Caldwell will face Chris Meankins and Carnieshia “Karr” Stewart for election to Place 3 on the CISD Board. Place 3 is currently held by Barbara Kelley, who did not run for reelection.
Doug Woolsey is seeking election to Place 6, which was previously held by Leah Blackard, who resigned in February.
Woolsey is retired after a career in pharmaceutical sales, said he is running to improve accountability within the district. “Although I do not have experience in the school system, I am a leader and I will be a good steward for the tax dollars of the community,” he said.
Woolsey will face Melissa “Mel” Castillo for Place 6 on the CISD Board of Trustees. Castillo and Caldwell have each previously ran for positions on the CISD Board of Trustees.
Election Day for all municipal and school board elections is Saturday, May 4.